2008.01.07: January 7, 2008: Headlines: COS - Kenya: Safety: Diplomacy: Washington Times: The U.S. Embassy in Kenya relocated Peace Corps volunteers to neighboring Tanzania and warned American citizens to register with the embassy as political violence continued to escalate in the East African nation

The U.S. Embassy in Kenya relocated Peace Corps volunteers to neighboring Tanzania and warned American citizens to register with the embassy as political violence continued to escalate in the East African nation

"The situation in Kenya continues to be volatile and subject to frequent change," the embassy said in a statement on its Web site, http://nairobi.usembassy.gov. "There continues to be incidence of violence, demonstrations and looting in several neighborhoods of Nairobi and Mombasa and in large parts of the western-most provinces." Peace Corps volunteers in the Western towns of Busia, Kakamega, Kericho and Kisumu were moved to the Tanzanian capital of Dar es Salaam, the embassy announced on Friday. Americans traveling to Kenya should expect flight delays, food shortages and sporadic telephone and Internet services. Banks and automated teller machines also have been running out of money, the embassy said.

The U.S. Embassy in Kenya relocated Peace Corps volunteers to neighboring Tanzania and warned American citizens to register with the embassy as political violence continued to escalate in the East African nation.

Officials today plan to reopen the embassy's consular section, after closing it on Friday because of security concerns.

"The situation in Kenya continues to be volatile and subject to frequent change," the embassy said in a statement on its Web site, http://nairobi.usembassy.gov. "There continues to be incidence of violence, demonstrations and looting in several neighborhoods of Nairobi and Mombasa and in large parts of the western-most provinces."

Peace Corps volunteers in the Western towns of Busia, Kakamega, Kericho and Kisumu were moved to the Tanzanian capital of Dar es Salaam, the embassy announced on Friday.

Americans traveling to Kenya should expect flight delays, food shortages and sporadic telephone and Internet services. Banks and automated teller machines also have been running out of money, the embassy said.

It also warned Americans to avoid large gatherings, which may begin peaceably but break out quickly into violence.

"Events intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence," the embassy said. "American citizens should avoid public rallies and large gathering and should always carry a mobile phone or other means of communication."

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Story Source: Washington Times

This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Kenya; Safety; Diplomacy

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